Chicago Bears 05/12/2008 10:37 PMAP reports Robbie Gould became the highest paid kicker, agreeing to a five-year, $15.5 million contract extension with the Chicago Bears that includes a $4.25 million signing bonus on Monday. The deal runs through 2013. "I'm excited about the contract I signed," Gould, who had a year left on his contract, said during a conference call with reporters. "I'm excited to be a Bear. ... This is definitely a win-win on both ends." Gould has made 84 of 99 field-goal attempts and 99 of 100 PATs with the Bears. He hit 31 of 36 field-goal attempts last season and made the Pro Bowl after the 2006 season, when he scored 143 points.Read more
Baltimore Ravens 05/12/2008 10:33 PMThe Baltimore Sun reports one of the questions heading into Ravens minicamp was the pecking order of the wide receivers. But Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams and Mark Clayton aren't battling against each other. They are teaming up in pursuit of a common goal. If this unit plays up to expectations, there is a possibility the Ravens could use three wide receivers as their primary formation. "It's not a possibility. It will happen," Mason said yesterday as the Ravens wrapped up their only mandatory minicamp of the offseason. "But I guess it all depends on who we're playing and what we're trying to do in a game. Using three wides is not far-fetched with the three guys that we have."Read more
Houston Texans 05/12/2008 10:24 PMThe Houston Chronic reports RB Steve Slaton, who was criticized for fumbling too much in college at West Virginia, was constantly harassed during minicamp by teammates trying to knock the ball loose from his hands. Slaton carries the ball high near his shoulders, which is somewhat unusual in the NFL. But Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he doesn't plan to change that.Read more
New Orleans Saints 05/12/2008 10:22 PMThe Times-Picayune reports Saints HC Sean Payton said he likes what he has seen so far from the team's top two draft picks -- DT Sedrick Ellis and CB Tracy Porter. He also had nice things to say about lower-round picks Carl Nicks, a guard, and WR Adrian Arrington, among others. Practices are closed to the public and media, but Payton and players were made available between practice sessions Saturday afternoon. "It's hard to tell (who's standing out), because you've got such a mixed group," Payton said. "You've got to be mindful of who Porter's covering or who Ellis is beating on a double-team or who Nicks is blocking. I think you'll get a better indication of more specifically how they're doing with the veteran players (in full-squad practice sessions later this month).Read more
